Lung Cancer Diagnosis
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Diagnosis of Lung Cancer
A diagnosis of lung cancer brings forth many questions, one of which is likely “where should I go for treatment?” At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), we provide hope and innovative lung cancer treatment options for individuals struggling with lung cancer. Your multidisciplinary care team at CTCA will listen to your concerns and empower you with information.
Though you may not live around the corner from a CTCA cancer hospital, our Oncology Information Specialists will attempt to make your trip to CTCA as convenient, affordable, and stress-free as possible.
Diagnostic Tools, Tests, & Procedures for Lung Cancer
To plan your lung cancer treatment, your CTCA care team may use any number of the following diagnostic tests, tools, and procedures:
Physical exam – Your doctor may first perform a physical exam in which he or she listens to the chest using a stethoscope.
Chest X-ray - This is a type of high-energy electromagnetic radiation. X-rays can be used for both lung cancer diagnosis and treatment. Chest x-rays may reveal abnormalities such as shaded areas which may represent tumors.
Computed Tomography (CT) scan - A CT scan is an X-ray procedure that uses a computer to generate three-dimensional, cross-sectional images of the body. In some cases, a CT scan can show diseased tissue and other affected areas in the lungs that conventional X-rays may miss. CT scans are frequently used in lung cancer diagnosis and treatment to pinpoint the location of cancerous cells in the body. A CT scan is also known as a computed axial tomography scan, or CAT scan.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan – A sophisticated nuclear scanning technique used to create detailed, computerized pictures of areas inside the body. The PET scan can be used to detect cancerous tissue and cells in the lungs that may not always be found through CT or MRI. When a PET scan is performed, the individual is first injected with a glucose (sugar) solution that contains a very small amount of radioactive material. The PET scanner is then able to "see" damaged or cancerous cells where the glucose is being taken up (since cancer cells often use more glucose than normal cells) and the rate at which the tumor is using the glucose (which can help determine the tumor grade).
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - MRI is an imaging technique used to create detailed, cross-sectional pictures of the inside of the body. Using radiofrequency waves, powerful magnets, and a computer, MRI systems are able to distinguish between normal and diseased tissue. Thus, MRI plays an important role in lung cancer diagnosis and staging.
Sputum cytology – An examination under a microscope for cancerous cells found in mucus produced by coughing.
Bronchoscopy - An endoscopy procedure in which a thin, lighted tube connected to a camera (bronchoscope) is inserted through the mouth or nose to examine the bronchial path, including the trachea (windpipe), bronchi (tubes inside the lungs), and lungs. Bronchoscopy is often used to look for signs of lung cancer and/or to perform certain treatment procedures (e.g., brachytherapy). Some specific bronchoscopy procedures include "white light" bronchoscopy, autofluorescence bronchoscopy (or "blue light" bronchoscopy), and navigational bronchoscopy (which uses both advanced imaging techniques and electromagnetic navigation).
Biopsy -The removal and examination of a small piece of tissue to check for cancer cells. By examining the tissue under a microscope, a biopsy can help determine if a tumor is benign or cancerous. If the tissue is cancerous, a biopsy can also determine which type of cancer is present. In addition, a biopsy can help determine whether the cancer began at the site of the biopsy sample, or started somewhere else in the body and spread to the site of the biopsy sample.
Spiral Computerized Tomography (Spiral CT) scan - A method of CT scanning that uses a continuous spiraling motion to take detailed pictures of the body. Using a computer linked to an X-ray machine, a spiral CT scan can generate a 3D image of the body and potential cancerous tumors. With speed and accuracy, spiral CT scanning can acquire large volumes of data with the patient in one position.
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